'Stop in their tracks' art

Naperville artist David John Simcik developed his forte in fine art after a career as an accomplished cartographer, graphic designer, photographer and Web designer.

Some of his art has been described as calm, reflective, intimate; other pieces as vibrant, edgy and fun.

Visitors can view his diverse work through March 16 at the Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery, 20 E. Downer Place, Aurora.

Simcik recently talked with the Daily Herald about his work and the exhibit.

Q. What led you to become involved in fine art?

A. As a child, I always had an interest in drawing and art. In my mind, I always thought someday I'd be an artist.

I gave up on that thought for much of my life, but when I took an early retirement, I decided to take some classes in painting. Things blossomed from that.

Q. Were your work skills helpful?

A. Absolutely. The applied arts have many of the fundamentals that accelerated my fine art experience. I understood the use of color, composition, contrast and how materials work. You might say I had a head start when I began to paint.

Q. Were you surprised at the quality of your work when you began?

A. Very surprised; at the end of my first class, I struggled to complete a painting. I mentioned that to the teacher and she said she had many classes where no one finishes a painting. I was taken back by that but pressed forward.

Initially my expectations were very high and I could at first only see what was wrong with the painting. There was a real struggle for me to work on it. But now it is a pleasurable thing from beginning to end.

Q. Why do faces fascinate you?

A. I think a person's character is really inscribed on their face and every one is different. Every person has a story to tell and his or her face tells a large part of it.

People who research these things tell us that even babies first respond to their mother's face. It is very basic to human nature and the human experience.

Q. How do you decide when a subject catches your interest to make it into a series?

A. Sometimes when I have an idea for a new painting, many additional ideas start coming. So I develop ideas not for just one painting but several. If the first one or two go well, then a river of ideas flows and I keep going.

Sometimes I will do a series of 12 paintings and really exhaust all the creative thought and ideas in doing the series. Other times it is open-ended and I start with no end in sight.

Q. Your King's Landing series reminds me of the work of Johannes Vermeer. Would you say that artist influenced you?

A. Very much so; I think there was an intensely personal moment and quality in his subject matter that just fascinates me. He is recognized as the last of the Dutch masters and I find his work so satisfying and stimulating to look at still today. The artist captured a moment forever and that appeals to me.

Q. Do you work from a live model?

A. I have worked from models, but primarily I take my own photographs of the model and can really focus and concentrate on the work. I don't have to be worried that the model is uncomfortable; and if so, then I'm uncomfortable. With photographs, it seems to work better.

Q. How do you come upon your original ideas?

A. I've come to learn that I think visually. I think in pictures rather than words. An idea will come as a spark and all of a sudden a complete picture will be there. I can think about it and see if it has potential. I consider my audience and what interests them since I don't paint just for myself.

Q. How do you hope your paintings touch your audience?

A. Since the beginning, I have not wanted to create paintings that people would see on the wall and walk by. I want them to see my work and stop dead in their tracks and be captured by the painting.

So I feel my paintings have to have a sense of power to capture a person's attention, imagination and interest. In shows and galleries, I have observed that I have been able to do that.

People will relate to me how they perceive my work and that expands my appreciation for how people perceive things. There are so many varied explanations for some of the pieces that it encourages me to continue.

If you go

What: The Art of David John Simcik

When: On display to March 16; open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays

Where: Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery, 20 E. Downer Place

Cost: $3 for adults; $1.50 for students and seniors

Info: aurora-il.org or davidjohnsimcik.com